St. George, Utah - Frederico Maria Ritchie, 80, passed away April 9, 2014. He was born January 3, 1934 in Los Angeles, California to Louis M. And Jean Ogawa Ritchie. During the World War II conflict, Frederico and his family were placed in a concentration camp in Arizona due to their Japanese decent.

At age 17, he graduated from Cathedral Catholic High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Airborne Ranger. He had over 15 years of Special Forces service beginning with the 10 ^th Special Forces Group in 1952. Other assignments were the 77 ^th , 1 ^st and 5 ^th Special Forces Groups and the USASWC in 1961. He served in three combat tours in Vietnam, 1961-1962, 1967-1968 and 1970-1972, During his distinguished military career he received a silver star, a bronze star and a purple heart, as well as numerous other awards. He retired from the U.S. Army as an officer achieving the rank of Major.

After retirement, Frederico and Lynelle built a house in the Oakland Hills, California Area where Frederico owned and operated a security business. In 1990, he had to close the business due to health reason. He and Lynelle then traveled through-out the United States and Germany and attended Special Forces reunions. In 2007, they moved to St. George, Utah to be near other Special Forces members.

Frederico is survived by his wife of 49 years, Lynelle Johnston Ritchie; step-son, Mark (Sabrina) Elledge; step-daughter, Kristie (Tim) Thompson; grandsons, Michael and Daniel Moorman; two brothers, John (Carol) Ritchie and Ron Ritchie; and god-children: Robert, Christy, Angelique and "Scoot" Cooper, Zachary Newcomer and Amy Anderson.

A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. George Catholic Church located at 259 West 200 North. A visitation will be held Monday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Rosary beginning at 7:30 p.m., at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. An additional visitation will be held on Tuesday, prior to services, from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. also at the Mortuary. Interment will be at a later date in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. Arrangements are entrusted to Metcalf Hurricane Valley Mortuary, (435) 635-9922.